The appeal was made to draw attention to violations of Russian
laws and international agreements during preparations for the
Olympic Games 2014 that might take place in the city of Sochi.
Construction of Olympics facilities threatens to destroy unique
nature landscapes of Western Caucasus.
The Russian government, Russian Olympic Committee, and large
industrial companies attempt to get Olympics facilities constructed
in the territory of the Sochi National Park (including its
protected area) where economic activity is banned. This also refers
to the Caucasus reserve inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage
list.
The government is committing direct violations of the law. On
June 8 the Russian government illegally skipped the state
environmental impact assessment and endorsed the federal target
program "Development of the City of Sochi as a Mountain Climate
Resort in 2006-2014". At present Greenpeace Russia is contesting
the endorsement of this program in the Supreme Court of the Russian
Federation.
The state environmental impact assessment of changes in zoning
the Sochi national park was held by Rosprirodnadzor with
considerable violations of the procedure. The status of territories
assigned for construction of sports facilities was changed from
protected areas to recreational ones.
The first stage of construction of the mountain ski complex
"Karusel" has been already completed in the park.
The responsible agencies attempt to adapt the law to interests
of the parties involved in the project's implementation. The
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade developed draft changes
to the law "On Protected Nature Areas" and the Land Code of the
Russian Federation. If they are approved, sports facilities will be
allowed for construction in national parks.
The Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia developed the draft
governmental regulation which will allow constructing the resort
buildings and facilities in protected territories, including those
on the border of the Caucasus reserve.
According to the Olympic Charter, the International Olympic
Committee is obliged to carry out its activities in compliance with
the requirements of the environmental protection during
organization of the Olympic Games.
Greenpeace calls on the IOC to take all possible steps in order
to prevent destruction of unique nature landscapes as a result of
the "race" to win the right to house the Olympics 2014.